Members have written to Asda to urge its bosses not to discriminate against women and to pay equal wages to all its staff.
The letter was signed by 159 politicians, who called on TDR Capital to resolve a legal dispute that has resulted in tens and thousands of employees bringing their cases to employment tribunals.
Since several years, at least 60,000 female employees have been fighting to earn the same wage as male warehouse workers.
The letter states that “women on the shopfloor earn up to PS3.74 less per hour than their male counterparts who work in warehouses”, and that they are owed more than PS2 billion.
The hearings are now in their second phase, and the GMB union is pointing out that independent assessments have found that supermarket workers’ roles are equivalent to or equal to those of warehouse employees, which means they should both be paid equally.
Asda must prove, if the case proceeds, that the difference in pay between warehouse and store workers is not due to sex.
Nadine Haugton, GMB’s national officer, stated: “GMB workers in Asda will be thrilled to know that politicians are supporting their cause. It’s time to pay women who have been working in retail for a long time a fair wage for their valuable work.
“The courts, and now politicians, are awakening to the extent of discrimination women retail workers face. Now Asda’s owner has a chance do the right thing and give them what they are due.”
Michael Newman, partner of the law firm Leigh Day which represents the workers, stated: “The right to equal payment has been recognised by law for decades. However, we now see its importance increasing in the political arena as shown by the 159 members of parliament who wrote to Asda’s majority owners. The length of time it takes to resolve these cases, as a new Employment Bill is looming, shows that reform is urgent. “For the tens and thousands of workers we represent who have equal pay claims against Asda any reform can’t come soon enough.”
Asda spokeswoman said: “We respect the rights of former and current colleagues to bring this claim, but we reject any claims that Asda pay rates are affected by gender. Retail and warehouses have many different positions. “We continue to defend this claim because retail and distribution is two distinct industry sectors with their own skill sets and pay structure.”
The case is expected to be concluded before the end this year.
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